Argentine Chili Recipes

Steps:

• Heat a heavy pot or Dutch oven over high heat. Add the extra-virgin olive oil, a turn of the pan, and the meat and brown until crispy, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the chorizo and render the fat a bit, then add the onions, garlic and chiles and season with salt and lots of black pepper, to taste. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes more to soften the onions, then add the oregano, paprika, and chili powder. Once the onions are tender add the tomato paste and stir for 1 minute. Stir in the stock, lower the heat, and simmer for a few minutes to combine the flavors. Can be cooled and refrigerated for a make-ahead meal and reheated over medium-low heat with a little extra broth or water to reconstitute. The chili also freezes well.
• Put the herbs, shallots, garlic, salt and pepper, to taste, vinegar and oil in food processor bowl. Pulse-process until finely chopped but still a loose sauce. Sauce can be made fresh or refrigerated for a few days in airtight container.
• Transfer the hot chili to serving bowls and topped with Chimichurri sauce. Serve with lots of crusty warm bread. You can also top with finely chopped seeded tomatoes, if desired.

Steps:

• Heat a heavy pot or Dutch oven over high heat.
• Add the extra-virgin olive oil, to the pan, and the meat and brown until crispy, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Add the chorizo and render the fat a bit, then add the onions, garlic and chiles and season with salt and lots of black pepper, to taste.
• Cook for 5 to 6 minutes more to soften the onions, then add the oregano, paprika, and chili powder.
• Once the onions are tender add the tomato paste and stir for 1 minute.
• Stir in the stock, lower the heat, and simmer for a few minutes to combine the flavors.
• Can be cooled and refrigerated for a make-ahead meal and reheated over medium-low heat with a little extra broth or water to reconstitute. The chili also freezes well.

Steps:

• Sift the flour, mix the sifted flour and salt in a large bowl.
• Mix in the solid margarine or butter with your fingers, (best to cross cut with two knives). The flour should have an even, coarse texture, with the margarine lumps no larger than a pea.
• Beat together the water, eggs, and vinegar in a bowl. Slowly mix into the flour mixture, until you have the desired consistency (it should not be too sticky, but still malleable).
• Place the mixture on a floured surface. Knead with the heel of your hand to bring the dough together.
• Cover the dough and allow to sit in a cool place for at least an hour.
• Roll out the dough until it is about 1/8 of an inch (0.3 cm) thick. Cut into circles about 4-6 inches (10 - 15 cm) in diameter and lightly flour them.
• Heat some oil in a large saucepan. Mince the onions and garlic, and add to the pan. Cook until the onions become translucent.
• Add the ground meat. Break it up with with a spoon and cook, stirring until lightly browned. Drain off fat.
• Mix in the cumin, pepper flakes, and sugar. Adjust to taste.
• Chop the hard boiled eggs and halve the stuffed olives. Carefully mix into the meat mixture. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Preheat the oven to 375ºF/200ºC.
• Stuff the empanada dough wrappers. Place 2-3 tablespoons of the filling in the center of each wrapper. Dampen the outer perimeter of the dough.
• Fold over, forming a semicircle. Pinch a corner of the dough, and then fold that section onto itself. Pinch and pull out another 1/2-inch (1.2 cm) section and fold over, so that it slightly overlaps the first piece. Repeat along the length of the folded side, until you create a braided or twisted seal.
• If desired, brush the tops of the empanadas with beaten egg yolk for a nice golden color.
• Place the folded empanadas on a greased cookie sheet. Bake 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Steps:

• Make the Salsa:
• Mix onion, bell pepper, and tomato in a large bowl. Add oil, vinegar, and lemon juice, then toss to combine. Taste and season with salt and pepper, then toss again.
• Do Ahead: Salsa can be made 5 days ahead. Transfer to a jar or airtight container and chill. Let sit at room temperature at least 30 minutes before using.
• Make the Hot Dogs:
• Slice sausages in half lengthwise, going almost all the way through so they can be opened like a book, but are still attached on one side. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high until hot. Working in batches, cook sausages cut side down, weighting down with a spatula or a small pot lid and turning once, until slightly browned, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
• Smear a generous amount of mayonnaise on both sides of buns. Arrange 2 butterflied hot dogs on each side of buns, cut side facing the bread. Top with mustard and a generous amount of salsa.